First Podcast Assignment:

Listen to the Podcast Our Computers, Ourselves

From the NPR program, Invisibilia
Listen to the podcast and use details from the podcast to respond in writing to the following questions:

Are computers changing human character?
Is our closeness with computers changing us as a species?
What makes a human, human?

Podcast link to Invisibilia podcast,
"Our Computer, Ourselves"
http://www.npr.org/programs/invisibilia/

SECOND PODCAST ASSIGNMENT

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE

Choice #1: Radio Lab podcast "So Called Life".
Click here for full assignment.

Choice #2: Literary Connection-Lucy
**Click here for full assignment**

Third Podcast Assignment

1. Listen to the following podcast.
Richard Holmes on Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein"

Richard Holmes is fascinated by what he calls "The Age of Wonder." The subtitle of his book is "how the romantic generation discovered the beauty and the terror of

science," and he tells Steve Paulson about how Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" came directly out of the scientific climate of the time.

2. Respond to the following questions on a page titled, "Does the monster have a Soul?"
Question:
Richard Holmes, author of, The Age of Wonder, explores the debate over whether or not the monster in Shelly's novel Frankenstein has a soul. Does the monster have a soul? Support your response by responding to at least one of Homes' statements in the interview AND a quotation from Shelly's novel.

......................................................................................................................

Podcast: Richard Holmes on Mary Shelly's Frankenstein.

Alternative link to the podcast:
http://ttbook.org/book/richard-holmes-mary-shelleys-frankenstein

Fourth PODCAST ASSIGNMENT:

1. listen to the excerpt "Mary" from the book, Sum, by David Eagleman
2. Enjoy and savor.

Podcast: "Mary" from the book, Sum, by David Eagleman
In the afterlife you discover Mary Shelley is sitting on a throne and learn that Frankenstein is God's favorite book.

Listening Activity: Making Better People
**Click here for full assignment**

VIDEO ASSIGNMENT: BIO-ENGINEERING GUIDELINES

Paul Root Wolpe: It's time to question bio-engineering
Bioethicist Paul Root Wolpe describes an astonishing series of recent bio-engineering experiments, from glowing dogs to mice that grow human ears. He asks: Isn't it time to set some ground rules?
1. Watch the video presentation by Paul Wolpe.
2. Post your response to the following prompt on a page titled, "Bio-Engineering Guidelines":
Use three different examples in Wolpe's presentation to explain where and why society should draw the line between what is acceptable (human's domain) and what is not acceptable (God's domain) in the field of bio-engineering.

ARTWORK ANALYSIS: AN EXPERIMENT ON A BIRD IN THE AIR PUMP

How does Joseph Wright's painting, An Experiment On A Bird In The Air Pump reflect society's perception of science and the scientist who dabbles in it?
1. Click on the image to the right to view a larger image of this painting or cut and paste the following address:
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/content/conObject/1453
2. Sketch the painting and then label the major elements of the setting and characters in the painting.
3. Below your sketch explain how each of the characters makes a comment about society's perception of science and the scientist who dabbles in it.
4. Review the different types of mad scientists described in the article, "Mad Scientists: Fringe Benefits". Identify and record the quotation you believe best fits the scientist that appears in Joseph Wright's painting (if you prefer, you may place the quotation in a speech bubble above the scientist's head in your sketch).

Helpful tip: Listen to the audio recording that is posted below the painting on the National Gallery's webpage (click here to view the interview transcript and recording).